Ariannita shops around Columbus, Ohio, on Black Friday and explains how to talk about sales, discounts, prices, clothing sizes, and fitting rooms. She also demonstrates American pronunciations of familiar store names and models questions to ask staff. The promotions, prices, and fitting-room limits shown are examples from filming and may have changed.
Read the full lesson summary
How to pronounce BRANDS on Black Friday is a guided community & services lesson for English learners who want to understand and use language in this real-life situation. The short description introduces the lesson; this expanded guide draws its details from the transcript and its phrase notes, so it focuses on what this particular video actually covers rather than a generic channel overview.
What the lesson covers
The lesson moves through Introducing Black Friday and store-name pronunciation; Comparing discounts and reading price tags; Pronouncing Hollister and browsing without buying; Comparing promotions and using an escalator; Pronouncing brand names and comparing prices; Judging value and discussing fitting rooms; Talking about local shopping customs over lunch; and further related moments. Following that sequence helps learners connect each expression to what the speakers are doing, asking, or responding to, instead of memorizing vocabulary as a disconnected list. Listen for how the meaning changes with the situation and how the speaker's wording keeps the exchange moving.
Language to take away
Black Friday — A major U.S. shopping day held the Friday after Thanksgiving, when many retailers promote sales; practices and participation vary. Common American retail and holiday vocabulary.Use it when: Discuss seasonal promotions or ask about a store’s holiday hours and offers.When it may not fit: Do not assume every item is discounted or every person shops; check current local dates and terms.Example: “Some stores open early on Black Friday, but I prefer shopping online.”
take advantage of all the deals and sales — Make use of available discounts or special offers. Neutral and common; take advantage of can sound positive or opportunistic depending on context.Use it when: Explain that someone is using a sale to save money.When it may not fit: Compare the final price and need; a discount does not automatically make a purchase worthwhile.Example: “We took advantage of the deals and sales to buy winter coats.”
H and M — The spoken form of the store name H&M, said by naming the two letters. Brand-name pronunciation; in rapid speech and may be reduced to an “n” sound.Use it when: Say the retailer’s name aloud in an American English conversation.When it may not fit: In writing, use the company’s styling H&M rather than spelling out the letters.Example: “I bought this sweater at H&M—pronounced “H and M.””
A way to use this lesson
Try using “Black Friday” in a sentence about introducing black friday and store-name pronunciation. Replay the relevant moment, then adapt the language to a real conversation you expect to have. Keep the original situation in mind: the goal is not simply to repeat a sentence, but to choose wording that suits the people, purpose, and tone of the exchange.
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Transcript
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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00
Introducing Black Friday and store-name pronunciation
Hey guys! It's Ariannita la Gringa and welcome back to my YouTube channel. In today's video, I'm going to go shopping on . Today is Black Friday and we're going to learn a lot of new vocabulary. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and people normally go shopping because they're off this day and they and the stores to go gift shopping for Christmas. Normally people buy a lot of gifts and presents for Christmas on this day. And in today's video, I'm going to also teach you guys how to pronounce popular brand names (like different stores) because we say them differently here in America compared to other countries.
Try it: Try using “Black Friday” in a sentence about introducing black friday and store-name pronunciation.
Phrase cheat sheet
All phrases at a glance
Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.
27 phrases
Showing 27 of 27 phrases
Black Friday
Introducing Black Friday and store-name pronunciation · cultural reference
A major U.S. shopping day held the Friday after Thanksgiving, when many retailers promote sales; practices and participation vary.
Tone and use: Common American retail and holiday vocabulary. Discuss seasonal promotions or ask about a store’s holiday hours and offers.
May not fit: Do not assume every item is discounted or every person shops; check current local dates and terms.
Example“Some stores open early on Black Friday, but I prefer shopping online.”
take advantage of all the deals and sales
Introducing Black Friday and store-name pronunciation · expression
Make use of available discounts or special offers.
Tone and use: Neutral and common; take advantage of can sound positive or opportunistic depending on context. Explain that someone is using a sale to save money.
May not fit: Compare the final price and need; a discount does not automatically make a purchase worthwhile.
Example“We took advantage of the deals and sales to buy winter coats.”
H and M
Introducing Black Friday and store-name pronunciation · cultural reference
The spoken form of the store name H&M, said by naming the two letters.
Tone and use: Brand-name pronunciation; in rapid speech and may be reduced to an “n” sound. Say the retailer’s name aloud in an American English conversation.
May not fit: In writing, use the company’s styling H&M rather than spelling out the letters.
Example“I bought this sweater at H&M—pronounced “H and M.””
less than the original price
Comparing discounts and reading price tags · expression
A lower cost than the amount first listed for an item.
Tone and use: Neutral shopping and comparison language. Explain what a sale price means.
May not fit: Check whether the original price is the relevant reference price and whether extra fees apply.
Example“The coat is less than the original price this week.”
up to 60% off
Comparing discounts and reading price tags · expression
The maximum discount available is sixty percent; some items may have smaller reductions or none.
Tone and use: Common advertising language. Interpret a promotion sign accurately.
May not fit: Do not assume every product gets the maximum discount; check each item and terms.
Example“The sign says up to 60% off, but this jacket is only 25% off.”
on sale
Comparing discounts and reading price tags · expression
Being sold at a reduced price or under a promotion.
Tone and use: Common retail phrase in American English. Ask whether a product’s price has been reduced.
May not fit: Sale can also mean the general act of selling; context clarifies the discount meaning.
Example“Is this sweater on sale today?”
check the price tag
Comparing discounts and reading price tags · expression
Look at the label attached to an item to see its listed price or discount.
Tone and use: Practical shopping language. Verify an item’s current marked price before buying.
May not fit: A tag may not show all taxes or promotion conditions; confirm at checkout.
Example“Let’s check the price tag before we decide.”
the cheapest T-shirt
Comparing discounts and reading price tags · expression
The T-shirt with the lowest price among the options being compared.
Tone and use: Neutral comparison language. Ask for or identify the least expensive option.
May not fit: Cheapest refers only to price; mention quality or fit if those matter too.
Example“The cheapest T-shirt is on the bottom shelf.”
window shopping
Comparing discounts and reading price tags · expression
Looking at merchandise without intending or needing to buy it; the expression also applies when browsing online.
Tone and use: Common informal shopping phrase. Say you are browsing casually rather than making a purchase.
May not fit: If you are comparing products with a plan to buy, say you are shopping around.
Example“We went window shopping downtown after lunch.”
How do you pronounce this store
Comparing discounts and reading price tags · expression
Asks someone how to say a shop or brand name aloud.
Tone and use: Neutral and natural. Ask about a store name you recognize in writing but are unsure how to say.
May not fit: If you want the identity rather than pronunciation, ask “What is this store called?”
Example“How do you pronounce this store’s name? I have never heard it before.”
my first impression
Pronouncing Hollister and browsing without buying · expression
The initial opinion or feeling you have about a place, person, or experience.
Tone and use: Neutral and common. Describe your immediate reaction before you know more.
May not fit: Make clear it is an early impression, not a fully informed conclusion.
Example“My first impression was that the store would be crowded.”
where does the line start
Pronouncing Hollister and browsing without buying · expression
Asks where the back or beginning of a queue is so you can join it correctly.
Tone and use: Direct and natural in stores and public venues. Find the end of a queue before joining.
May not fit: If the line is not obvious, add “Excuse me” or ask a staff member.
Example“Excuse me, where does the line start for checkout?”
buy 1 get one 50% off
Pronouncing Hollister and browsing without buying · expression
A promotion where buying one item makes another item half price, according to the offer’s terms.
Tone and use: Retail advertising shorthand. Read or ask about a buy-one-get-one offer.
May not fit: Confirm which item receives the discount and whether the items must be eligible or equal in price.
Example“The store has a buy one, get one 50% off deal on shirts.”
how much does this sneaker cost with a discount
Comparing promotions and using an escalator · expression
Asks a store employee to calculate the price after an eligible discount.
Tone and use: Polite, practical customer-service question. Ask how a promotion affects a particular item.
May not fit: If the offer has conditions, ask what you need to buy or do to qualify.
Example“How much does this jacket cost with the employee discount?”
full price
Comparing promotions and using an escalator · expression
The regular listed price without a discount.
Tone and use: Common retail language. Explain that an item is not reduced.
May not fit: Check whether other promotions or member discounts apply.
Example“The new model is still full price.”
shop around
Pronouncing brand names and comparing prices · phrasal verb
Compare products, prices, or stores before deciding where to buy.
Tone and use: Neutral and practical. Look at several sellers or options to find one that suits you.
May not fit: For a specific item, name the product and the comparison you care about.
Example“I’m going to shop around before I buy a new phone.”
compare prices
Pronouncing brand names and comparing prices · expression
Look at the costs of similar items or offers to see how they differ.
Tone and use: Neutral and practical. Decide where to buy or whether an offer is competitive.
May not fit: Compare equivalent sizes, features, and conditions rather than headline prices alone.
Example“We compared prices at three stores before buying the laptop.”
overpriced
Pronouncing brand names and comparing prices · expression
More expensive than the speaker believes is reasonable for the item.
Tone and use: Negative but less blunt than calling something a ripoff. Give a personal opinion that a product costs too much.
May not fit: It is subjective; for polite feedback, say it is more than you planned to spend.
Example“The jacket looks nice, but it seems overpriced.”
a ripoff
Pronouncing brand names and comparing prices · expression
A strongly negative, informal judgment that a price or deal feels unfairly high.
Tone and use: Blunt and critical. Complain casually about something you believe is grossly overpriced.
May not fit: For customer service or polite conversation, say overpriced or ask how the price was set.
Example“That extra fee feels like a ripoff.”
waiting in line to try on things
Pronouncing brand names and comparing prices · expression
Waiting in a queue for a turn to use a fitting room and test clothing.
Tone and use: Common American English; waiting in a queue is also widely understood. Describe delays at a busy shop.
May not fit: Check the store’s current fitting-room rules, which can vary.
Example“We spent twenty minutes waiting in line to try on things.”
at a cheaper price
Pronouncing brand names and comparing prices · expression
For less money than another option or earlier price.
Tone and use: Neutral comparison language. Compare the cost of similar items at different shops.
May not fit: Check that the items and sale conditions are comparable.
Example“I found the same shoes at a cheaper price online.”
try on some clothes
Talking about local shopping customs over lunch · phrasal verb
Put on garments temporarily to see whether they fit or look good.
Tone and use: Everyday shopping language. Use a fitting room to check clothes before buying.
May not fit: For an item you do not wear, say try it out or inspect it instead.
Example“I’d like to try on some clothes before I choose a size.”
fits you
Finding the right size and following fitting-room limits · expression
Is the right size or shape for your body.
Tone and use: Neutral clothing vocabulary. Check whether a garment is comfortable and the right size.
May not fit: Fit can refer to size, while suit can refer to style or appearance.
Example“Does the coat fit you comfortably across the shoulders?”
under the limit
Finding the right size and following fitting-room limits · expression
Below the maximum number or amount permitted.
Tone and use: Neutral rule and quantity language. Explain that you have not exceeded a stated limit.
May not fit: Check the current policy and how the limit is counted.
Example“We have four items, so we’re under the limit.”
fit me really well
Finding the right size and following fitting-room limits · expression
Be a very good size and shape for the speaker’s body.
Tone and use: Positive, everyday clothing feedback. Describe comfortable fit after trying something on.
May not fit: If the size is fine but the style is not, say it fits well but does not suit me.
Example“The jacket fits me really well in the shoulders.”
put it back on the rack
Trying on clothes and deciding whether to buy · phrasal verb
Return a garment to the rail or display where it belongs after trying it on.
Tone and use: Common store and shopping language. Explain that you are not buying an item and will return it to its place.
May not fit: If store staff ask you to leave it in the fitting room, follow their instructions.
Example“I don’t want the shirt, so I’ll put it back on the rack.”
outlet mall
Trying on clothes and deciding whether to buy · expression
A shopping center with outlet stores that may sell discounted or past-season goods.
Tone and use: Common U.S. retail vocabulary. Talk about a center where shoppers look for lower prices.
May not fit: Prices and selection vary; outlet status does not guarantee the lowest price.
Example“We found last season’s coats at an outlet mall.”
Knowledge check
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What it means · “up to 60% off”
A sign says “up to 60% off.” What should a shopper understand?